Susceptibility of mulesing wounds to oviposition and strike development by the Australian sheep blowfly Lucilia cuprina.
The age and/or physical condition of mulesing wounds had a significant effect on both the oviposition response of L. cuprina and the ability of the wound to support a strike. Up to 48 h after mulesing, untreated wounds elicited a strong oviposition response in contrast with chemically treated wounds, although subsequent larval development was negligible. Seven to 9-day-old wounds, however, regardless of the wound treatment, were highly attractive oviposition sites, which subsequently developed into strikes; the D3 formulation of Defiance*S, however, significantly depressed strike development and shows promise as a mules wound treatment. A marked improvement in the wound healing 14 to 16 d after mulesing coincided with a significant decrease in oviposition. Only those sheep whose wound scabs remained broken, exposing pus and raw tissue, attracted oviposition; subsequent development of the eggs into strikes was negligible.
Cook
D F
DF
West Australian Department of Agriculture, South Perth.
Steiner
E C
EC
D000818:Animals; D004175:Diptera / Q000502:physiology; D004478:Ectoparasitic Infestations / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D007814:Larva / Q000254:growth & development; D008297:Male; D010058:Oviposition; D010502:Perineum / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary; D012756:Sheep; D012757:Sheep Diseases / Q000469:parasitology*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary*